F/A-18 Hornet (Boeing)

The U.S. Navy’s and Marine Corps’ F/A-18 Hornet was designed to attack and destroy surface targets, day or night, under all weather conditions; conduct multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance; provide supporting arms coordination; and intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all weather conditions. Single-seat A/C/CN and dual-seat D models are in use by the Marine Corps. The aircraft on display represent the squadrons at Miramar.

F-18F Super Hornet (Boeing)

The U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9 Vampires) brings this hot new F-18F Hornet from China Lake. Longer, faster, more heavily armed and with a longer range than its predecessor, the F/A-18 Hornet, it still has many shared parts. It is capable of Mach 1.8 (1,190 knots) at 40,000 feet.

AV-8B Harrier (Boeing)

The Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is an amazing piece of aviation technology. It can take off and land straight up and down, and actually hover. Watch it hang in mid-air, slowly traversing left and right as it searches for a target! The Harrier is equipped for its role as close or deep air support around the clock with six wing stations for Maverick and Sidewinder missiles and a centerline station that can mount a six-barreled 25mm gun or air-to-ground ordnance.

F-15E Strike Eagle

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a twin-engine, all weather fighter that is the backbone for the Air Force’s air superiority. Its proven design is undefeated in air-to-air combat, with more than 100 aerial combat victories. Its two engines provide 58,000 pounds of thrust, which enable the F-15 to exceed speeds of Mach 2.5. Boeing has built more than 1,600 of the aircraft for six countries around the world. None of them plan to retire the F-15.

MV-22 Osprey

The Marine Corps’ V-22 Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium lift, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tilt-rotor aircraft designed for combat, combat support, combat service support, and Special Operations missions worldwide. It will replace the Corps’ aged fleet of CH-46E and CH-53D medium lift helicopters.

C-130J Super Hercules (Lockheed Martin)

The Marines’ new KC-130J, which is replacing the aging KC-130 tankers, is part of the next generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft. The new aircraft is part of the Marine Corps transformational efforts to increase speed, persistence, precision, and reach to project capabilities over longer distances. The KC-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed KC-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 50 years of service, the family has participated in military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations.

CH-46E Sea Knight (Boeing Vertol)

The CH-46E is used by the Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Troop assault is the primary function and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks may be assigned, such as combat support, search and rescue, support for forward refueling and rearming points, aeromedical evacuation of casualties from the field and recovery of aircraft and personnel.

CH-53E Super Stallion (Sikorsky)

As the Marine Corps’ heavy lift helicopter designed for the transportation of material and supplies, the CH-53E is compatible with most amphibious class ships. The helicopter is capable of lifting 16 tons at sea level, transporting the load 50 nautical miles and returning. A typical load would be a 16,000 pound M198 howitzer or a 26,000 pound Light Armored Vehicle. The aircraft also can retrieve downed aircraft including another CH-53E. The 53E is equipped with a refueling probe and can be refueled in flight giving the helicopter indefinite range.

UH-1N Iroquois (Bell)

Also known as the “Huey,” this helicopter is primarily used for search and rescue, command and control and maritime special operations missions. The Huey is used by the Navy for shore-based search and rescue duties, and by the Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night airborne command, control and coordination for assault support operations. Additionally, it is used for assault transport and maritime special operations, forward air control, aeromedical evacuation of casualties from the field and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel missions.

UH-1Y Venom (Bell)

Within the familiar silhouette and proven heritage, Bell has applied the latest aerospace technology and manufacturing process to create the new UH-1Y. Airframe improvements include twin General Electric T700 engines, a 21st century “glass” cockpit, and advanced systems that all deliver the utmost in a tactical utility helicopter.

As the aircraft of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, the four-bladed, twin engine UH-1Y meets the Corps’ stringent requirements with its 70% life cycle cost saving against the competition.

AH-1Z Viper (Bell)

The AH-1Z Viper is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.

UH-60 Blackhawk (Sikorsky)

The versatile Blackhawk has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army, due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability, and will serve as the Army’s utility helicopter in the Objective Force. An entire 11-person, fully-equipped infantry squad can be lifted in a single Blackhawk, transported faster than in predecessor systems, in most weather conditions. The Blackhawk can reposition a 105mm howitzer, its crew of six, and lift up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift.

Warbird Statics

P-51D Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that entered service with Allied air forces in the middle years of World War II. The P-51 flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944.

AD/A-1 Skyraider

Designed and acquired on the cusp of the jet age, the AD-4 and its many variants saw service well into age of aerial jet combat. With combat time in both Korea and Vietnam the supposedly obsolete Skyraiders shot down two enemy jet aircraft.

TBM Avenger

Designed for the US Navy and Marine Corps the TBM entered service during WW II and played a role in every major battle of the Pacific campaign.

North American SNJ-5 Texan

The Texan was used to train many U.S. pilots for World War II and Korea. The Army and Air Force called it the AT-6 Texan. It had a top speed of just over 200 mph and a ceiling of 21,000 feet. Sturdy and dependable, The 15,000 Texans taught over 100,000 airmen to fly. It was used by 34 countries.

Yakovlev Yak-52

The Yakovlev-52 was designed as a primary trainer for the Soviet military. A responsive aircraft with a large 9 cylinder radial engine, the Yak-52 is well suited to aerobatics and has consequently found its way to pilots in the west.

Nanchang CJ-6A Haiyan C

The Haiyan (“Sea Swallow”) was used in China for photo-reconnaissance, and this particular aircraft was used to photo-map the Great Wall of China to try to locate undiscovered portions. It carries the 345 hp Chinese Housai engine and over 90 gallons of fuel, which gives it an in-flight endurance of over eight hours. The top speed is 230 mph. It just came out of a three-year restoration and it is the only Haiyan C in private hands in the world.

B-25 Mitchell

The North American B-25 Mitchell (NA-62) was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.

AN-2 Colt

The An-2 was initially developed as an agricultural aircraft. Hence, the initial project name was SKh-1 (Selskoe Khozaistvo – Agriculture). First prototype flew on August 31, 1947. The aircraft went in production in 1949 and over 5000 were built. China began producing the AN-2 aircraft in the early 70s and it is still used by the North Korean military for troop transport. The AN-2 Colt provides combat support and combat service support to include reconnaissance, airborne or airland resupply as well as airborne insertion of detachments. The crew consists of two pilots and can accommodate eight passengers. The AN-2 is night capable but the cockpit is not adapted for NVG use.

CA-25 Winjeel

Aboriginal for young eagle, the “Winjeel” was designed by Commonwealth Aircraft Corp after WW II as a trainer for students transitioning to jets. This Winjeel is the only one of its kind in the US and is done up in the colors of the Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 34 Squadron.

North American T-28C Trojan

The Trojan has been around since 1948. Its 1,425 hp Wright radial engine can take the 8,500-lb. trainer to 343 mph (maximum; cruising speed is 310 mph). The T-28 can cover move than 1,000 miles at up to 35,500 feet. Variants included the T-28C carrier-landing-equipped models and the AT-28D, fitted for attack and ground support roles.

L-17 Navion

The military version of the Ryan Navion NA145 was originally built by North American Aviation in the late 1940s. The L-17 saw service in Korea. U.S. Air Force Museum photo.

Douglas AC-47

A modified DC-3, the AC-47 Gunship first saw action in Vietnam as a close air support platform with a long loiter time. Nicknamed “Spooky” by the troops they supported, AC-47s saw service well after Vietnam with many services around the globe.

UC-43 Staggerwing

While holding to the conventional bi-plane design of the time, this Beechcraft model took the radical step of reversing the placement of the leading edge of the wings, earning it the name “Staggerwing.” This particular Beech Staggerwing saw service as the courier for the US embassy in London during WW II.

Stearman E-75

Built as a private venture by the Stearman Aircraft Company and later bought by Boeing, the E-75 Kaydet was widely used as a trainer during the Second World War and became a very popular, inexpensive general aviation airplane after the war. Today, more than 1,000 are still flying across the globe.

H-21 Shawnee/Workhorse

Designed in the late 1940’s, the CH-21 was an evolutionary step in tandem rotor design and a direct antecedent to the CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-47 Chinook still in the US inventory today. Precious few of these aircraft are still flying today.

T-33A/P-80 Shooting Star

The XP-80 Shooting Star was introduced in 1943 by Lockheed and was designed in just 143 days. The P-80 was the first long-range, high-speed fighter used by the United States. It was developed to help sustain heavy bombing operations during WWII. The TF-80c was also designed as the two-seat T-33A jet trainer. In 1946 the Shooting Star set a transcontinental record flying from Long Beach, California to La Guardia Airport, New York in just 4 hours, 13 minutes and 26 seconds.

Aero Vodochody L-29 Delphin

The L-29 Delfin (Dolphin) jet trainer was developed in the early 60s. The single-engine two-seater was supplied to the Soviet, Czech, Bulgarian, East German, Hungarian, Iraqi, Romanian, Egyptian and Indonesian air forces. It’s become very popular among U.S. warbird enthusiasts

Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross

Entering service in 1972 as the Warsaw Pact successor to the L-29 Delfin, the L-39 was a huge success. The Albatros, the standard and advanced jet trainer for Warsaw Pact nations, carries over 2,000 lbs. of under-wing ordnance, including bombs, rocket pods and gun pods (the centerline point mounted a twin-barreled 23mm cannon with 180 rounds).

Civilian Statics

WACO

A leading design in its time, WACO (pronounced WAH-CO) aircraft are once again being produced in small numbers according to the original design but with safer, more modern systems installed in place of the old.

Globe Swift

The birthplace of the Swift was Ft. Worth, TX, in early 1940. The very first low wing, two-place retractable gear aircraft called “The Swift” was built as what would be called today a “homebuilt,” by Mr. R.S. “Pop” Johnson of Ft. Worth. Mr. Johnson was reputed to have taken the trial delivery of a Culver Cadet, measured its vital organs and returned it to Culver, no purchase. Then he built himself an aircraft and began looking for a financier and builder. The Globe Aircraft Company stepped forward and built the Swift. And Mr. Johnson became an employee of Globe.

L-10 Electra

The Electra was Lockheed’s first all-metal and twin-engine design by Hall Hibbard. The prototype made its first flight on 23 February 1934. The Electra was produced in several variants, for both civilian and military customers.

RV-8

This RV-8A is a tandem two seat, single engine, kit plane with tricycle gear, a catchy design and a nice paint scheme to match it.

The Armed Forces Aero Club

The Armed Forces Aero Club traces its history back to the 1960’s as the original Miramar Flying Club. Now home-based at nearby Montgomery Field, it features a variety of aircraft for the recreational and training flight needs of both military and civilian pilots. On display from the AFAC fleet are a new Liberty XL-2 with state-of-the-art avionics technology, and a classic Cessna 177RG Cardinal. For more info visit www.flyafac.com

Nemesis NXT

Breaker of 16 world speed records, this two place, single engine kit plane is quickly becoming a favorite on the racing circuit and has good looks to boot.

Phantom Racer

Designed and built from the ground up for speed. As a National Champion at the Reno Air Races, the Phantom Racer lives up to expectations.

Iskra TS-11

The Polish and Indian Air Forces use the Iskra TS-11 as a light trainer and light tactical aircraft. The landing gear is of the tricycle type and designed for rough field operations. The Iskra’s wingspan stretches 33 feet and it weights 5424 lbs empty.

S-2T Tracker: California Dept. of Forestry

Grumman originally designed the S2E for use by the U.S. Navy. CAL FIRE uses the S-2T air tankers for fast initial attack delivery of fire retardant on wild land fires. The aircraft is equipped with Allied Signal (Garrett) TPE 331-14GR engines and a 1200 gal. (U.S.) constant flow, computerized delivery system.

OV-10A Bronco: California Dept. of Forestry

CAL FIRE uses the OV-10As as command and control of aircraft on wild land fires. The crew provides tactical coordination with the incident commander on the ground, providing information on the movement and spread of the fire. The OV-10A crew then directs CAL FIRE’s air tanker and helicopter pilots on where to make their retardant and water drops.

UH-1H Super Huey: California Dept. of Forestry

In 1981, the California Department of Forestry (CDF) acquired 12 UH-1F helicopters from the Air Force. They were modified for fire fighting and used by CDF (also known as CAL FIRE) until 1990 when they were replaced by newer, highly modified, Vietnam-era UH-1F helicopters. Referred to as the “Super Huey,” the CDF has 11 available (two are kept as maintenance relief) statewide for the 2010 Fire Season.

Long-EZ

The distinctive look of the Long-EZ comes to us from the mind of the famous aircraft designer, Burt Rutan. Designed for efficiency, this aircraft is capable of traveling 1,600 miles on only 50 gallons of fuel.

Gyrocopter

Not a helicopter, not a fixed wing aircraft, nor even a hybrid, gyrocopters go by many different names but are a class unto themselves.

AutoGyro

Cavalon – the dawn of a new era: The first side-by-side gyroplane of AutoGyro is a real masterpiece in design, technique and innovation and overcomes all restrictions and limits. Seated side by side it presents its pilot and passenger an uncomparable dimension and comfort. As a side-by-side model, the Cavalon expands the product range of AutoGyro and offers a huge variety of features. Due to its big tank volume the Cavalon handles great distances easily and always offers everyone the perfect position thanks to its individually adjustable seats and pedals. From the bottom to the top every wish is fulfilled: also the interior offers much room for pilot and passengers and shows a highly structured overview with outstanding design.

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